Embassy NewsCentre

Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt with a group of volunteers (photo album)(Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

U.S. Embassy Holds Interfaith Day of Service in Kplessou
                                     
The U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire held its first Interfaith Day of Service in Kplessou, a small rural community located about 10 km from the central city of Toumodi on October 17, 2009.  The day-long activity offered some 15 volunteers from the embassy and three Ivorian religious leaders from different groups the opportunity to help the people of Kplessou build houses.

Organized in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity – an American non-profit organization –, the Interfaith Day of Service was designed to foster understanding and collaboration among local communities around the world. The day was set aside by the Department of State, following recommendations from The White House, asking U.S. Embassy staff worldwide to organize interfaith community service activities to commemorate the attacks of September 11. President Obama has called on Americans throughout the United States to reach out to others by volunteering a day of their time to their local communities.

During a sober launching ceremony in Kplessou, the U.S. Embassy’s Consul, Barbara Ensslin, told the traditional chiefs and the population in the village that “today’s Interfaith Day of Service is intended to bring the president’s concept to an international level.”

Dubbed “The Day of Service and Remembrance”, this global initiative, Mrs. Ensslin said, is aimed at “encouraging understanding and collaboration among people of different faiths and cultures.” “We are here today in Kplessou as volunteers to share this message of goodwill and cooperation by supporting Habitat for Humanity in their important work. The U. S. Embassy hopes this will be only the first Day of Service and is considering suggestions for other activities that will continue the spirit and intent of today’s event,” she said.

Mrs. Ensslin went on to state that “Whatever those specific activities will be, they will not be unique. Every day, throughout the world, Americans are contributing their time, energy and talent to improve the lives of the people in the countries in which they live.” She mentioned that   for some years now a group of U.S. Embassy employees has visited orphanages in Côte d’Ivoire, bringing young people gifts of love as well as material support. Other Embassy volunteers are also teaching young people English through basketball. 

“The U.S. Embassy appreciates the opportunity to demonstrate our interest in our host country and share this Day of Services with its religious and other communities,” Mrs Ensslin said.    (Photo album)